Fourteen cyclists introduced themselves at Dallas Neighbourhood House at 10 on this beautiful sunny day. We departed a bit late and casually made our way onto the Western Ring Rd and along to the junction with the Merri Creek Trail. Soon after the start of this trail, the path forked, and several cyclists continued on for a few metres down the wrong way while Kevin yelled out, "Turn right! Turn right! Turn right!" He made sure he got the message across alright! That junction is confusing and requires better directional signs - although both paths are the Merri Creek Trail, one is the older dirt path and the other is the newer concrete path.
Coburg Lake approached fast. We had a brief rest stop to regroup and collect our breath. There was some kind of festival at the Lake, but it was on the other side to the path so we didn't stop. But at Brunswick Velodrome, we stopped to watch some children cyclists racing.
It wasn't far to CERES. We rode in and tried to find somewhere to park our bikes. It was very busy at the cafe, and no tables or seats were available, especially for such a large group as ours. It took quite a while to order and be served, and by then a table was free. After about an hour, when there were only 11 of us, we hopped on our bikes and made our way on road to the Upfield Bike Path.
At the corner of Lygon and Blyth Streets, we passed a large time and temperature display. According to that display, the temperature was 33C However, Graham's temperature sensor in his bike computer indicated it was 38C in the sun on the road.
At Coburg Railway Station, we found that the path was being reconstructed but it was still possible to easily proceed.
We said goodbye to Stephen at Boundary Rd and continued to the other side of the Fawkner Cemetery where more people dropped out. Soon we were on the Ring Road Path and before much longer, the Magnificent 7 were back at Dallas Neighbourhood House.
Having completed more than 32 kms, a notch over 2 hrs of riding and endured temperatures in the 30's, we were glad to have finished. We bade our farewells looking forward to meeting and riding again.
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Yes, it was fun, and I really enjoyed meeting the others.
ReplyDeleteI decided to go home 'the back way' in Glenroy, but as I hadn't been round there for about a year, I turned off a bit too soon. Unfortunately, Rod followed me, (the adventurous type perhaps?), and we came to a dead end! How embarassing. I still knew where I was, sort of, and we found ourselves back on John st, the way the others had gone, probably 10 minutes earlier. Sigh!
Still, a bit further up, I rediscovered the back entrance to Roper Reserve, my 'short cut' home. But wait: the track under the Ring rd, to the the reseve is now blocked, and under re-construction! OMG! Poor Rod hahahahaha (shouldn't laugh!) Sorry Rod.
Happily though, we were actually on the Ring rd path, near where we got on that morning, and Rod was off to Jacana station in a flash. I had to wheel my bike up over the pedestrian bridge, and limp home in the heat. Needless to say, it was a slow progress! I was out of water by then, and no-one seems to have garden taps anymore!
I finally reached the street about a k from my place, and flopped on the nice shady nature strip for a regroup, then the final leg (and mine were pretty wobbly by then). Note to self - drink a lot more water on a hot day!